Sonshine Ranch Charitable Trust

Location

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Sonshine Ranch Charitable Trust is a Christian outdoor recreation centre situated only 12 km from Papakura, South Auckland, New Zealand. As well as running programmes for school and youth groups, Sonshine Ranch offers horse treks during the weekends (by arrangement), and day programmes and camps during each school holidays. Sonshine Ranch has about 30 well-mannered horses, an impressive rock-climbing tower and other activities such as a flying fox, rope swing, kayaks, and a challenging water-confidence course.

Trustees:

The current trustees, are Hans Notter (Chairman) ,Richard Johnstone (Treasurer), Frank Hutchinson (Secretary), Margrit Notter. and Henry Cassin.

Church connections

Sonshine Ranch is not affiliated with any one denomination, but is an interdenominational outdoor recreation centre. The staff are all committed Christians and regularly attend different local churches. Sonshine Ranch is also a member of Christian Camping New Zealand.

Aims:

The trust aims to help children and young teens physically, emotionally, and spiritually, by providing educational and confidence-building activities within a safe environment. We endeavour to make our camps affordable to every child by keeping our prices to a minimum, and offering sponsorship where applicable.

Horse Riding:

We have a large range of sized horses from "Monty", our smallest horse, to "Comet", our 16.3hh Clydesdale. There’s a horse to suit most riders, from beginners to the more experienced. Sonshine Ranch boasts a great team of well-mannered riding horses (about 30). Sonshine Ranch bred Connemara-cross ponies from 1992 until 2000, and has found these versatile ponies to be a great asset to the Ranch.

Treks:

Horse treks are a popular activity with novice and advanced riders alike. This is available for people eight years old and over. Bookings are essential, and treks are usually held on Saturdays or at other times by special arrangement. Treks are guided and take riders over farm-land and along native bush trails, and include a short time in one of our arenas. Prices are $30 per person for a one hour trek.

For any aspiring young riders under eight years old, 'pony leads' are available. A pony lead, costing $30 per hour, means that a parent or adult hires the pony and leads the child / children either in the arena or around the riding trails.

Lessons:

Lessons are held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 4 - 5 pm and Saturday mornings 9 -10 am and 10.30 - 11.30 am. These cater for riders 8 years old and over and are run in groups of similar ability. Lessons are very popular and there is often a waiting list for places.

Ardmore Pony Club:

If your child has been coming to lessons for over a year, the Ardmore Pony Club could be the next step. The Ardmore Pony Club is a branch of the Franklin District Pony Clubs and is held here at Sonshine Ranch. The pony club makes use of the facilities at Sonshine Ranch and also, by special arrangement, some of the horses.

A membership fee and a monthly payment means you could lease a Sonshine Ranch horse and be part of a Club that is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and the camaraderie between members. The progression can continue, as you could go on to own your own horse and remain a part of Ardmore Pony Club.